European Cups: UEFA launches tender for the TV rights in France for the 2018-2021 cycle

UEFA has launched the tender, in France, for the TV rights to the Champions League and the Europa League for the 2018-2021 cycle, announced the confederation on 29/03/2017. Candidates must submit their bids no later than 03/05/2017.

• Canal+ and beIN Sports are the current rights holders in France for the Champions League 2015-2018 cycle, having acquired the rights on 11/04/2014. Bein Sports is estimated to pay €90m per year, and Canal+ €50m per year, according to the French sports daily L'Équipe on 29/03/2017.
• Canal+ (€50m) and beIN Sports (€61m) jointly paid an estimated €111m to UEFA each season for the 2012-2015 rights to the Champions League.
• TF1 paid €25m per year for the best fixture of each matchday, and Canal+ €29m for the rest of the competition during the 2009-2012 Champions League cycle.

Thus, the TV rights to the Champions League in France have been multiplied by more than 2.5 over three cycles and may rise further, especially with the arrival of SFR Sport in the French television market - a pay-TV channel which has already acquired the rights to the Premier League…